[Vrroom]

I’m building a motor for my 69 GTO and I need a little more input on choosing the right engine combination.

The engine is a ’75 vintage 400 block with ’71 #96 heads. The heads have been milled enough to produce a “measured” 87CC combustion chamber. Compression is roughly 9:1 (calculated the way Pontiac calculated 10.75:1 on a stock GTO) but it’s probably lower. It’s at the standard bore (4.120) and has been honed. It’s also got “used” standard GTO pistons and new rings. I have the original Quadrajet, a performer intake and 4 tube black-jack headers. It’s coupled to a turbo 400 tranny and it has a 3:23 open rear end. It’s likely that I’ll change to a posi rear with a slightly taller gear later on. Tire size has not been determined yet.

The current plan for the car is to be a daily driver and it’s doubtful I’ll ever run it at the local 1/8th mile strip (well, maybe once….). I’ll probably take it to more cruise’s than anything else. I’d also like it to sound good at idle.

I have a new Crane H-288-2 cam and a new torque converter with 2200 – 2800 stall speed (came with the car), but I think that’s too much cam and way too high of a stall speed for daily driving around town and back and forth to work. Crane also recommends a minimum C/R of 9.5:1 for this cam.

The new cam and new converter are for sale if anybody wants them. I’ll take the best reasonable offer. Email me at [email protected] if you’re interested.

I’m thinking on getting a Summit 2801 or something similar and maybe getting a stall converter with a 1600-2200 stall speed. Anyone ever heard of a “Super Stock Industries” cam #10336. It has almost the same specs as the Summit 2801.

Considering the things I have to work with and the intended use of the car, are there any other set-ups that might be better without adding a whole lot of cost?

Thanks for your comments.

Vrroom

[Skip Fix]

I have the Summit 2801 in a similar driver 400. 0.030 decked, 89cc 6X-4 with larger valve, it has a slight lope at a 750-900 idle, less if you do have a little higher stall. The stock TH350 lockup convertor was terrible and way too tight for a good idle or getting off the line. The cam has reasonable power for a daily driver 400 low compression.

[Thunderskull]

Go ahead and get the 2801. You'll be very happy, and it doesn't get much cheaper than that. I'm running one in my 350, and I'm very pleased with it. It's almost but not quite too much cam for me, so it should perform great in your 400. I lost a smidgeon of low end torque with the 2801 in my 350, but you should be fine. Also, stick with the stall converter that's in the vehicle. The stock unit and the 3.23 gears will work fine with the 2801.

Robert

[robscar]

i took out the 066 in my 40 yr old 389 and put in a 2801. the engine leaks and blows but she runs darn good. has a performer intake with 600 cfm holley, stock exhaust, 2400-2800 stall, 3.36 posi. the looser converter really helped the idle. the stock convertor was just too tight. ended upputting a mini starter to be able to run the timing up to the point she likes it at. now she idles good, runs good, sounds good. yours should sound really good with headers, a little lopey with good low speed manners.

[uforacing]

I have one in the 400 that just came out of the GTO. Engine is a YS 70 400 with 13 heads. Not a bad cam. Runs on 91 up here @6000'. Good power from 2000-4700 rpm. This is with a 4 speed and 3.55 gears. Also got 16MPG on a 500 mile trip running 65-70.

[A1Judge]

I am running the Summit 2802 in my '70 Judge, 400 .030 over, 1.5 roller tip rokers, #12 heads (72cc), 4-Speed and 3.55 rear.

Idles very nice with a hint of a lope and runs very well on pump gas.

Now if I can just get that slight hesitaion out of it at cruising speeds!

[dfektive4]

I put the 2801 in my 75 4 speed T/A. Good idle and excellent torque. I was getting no traction with the open 3.42 so I am currently installing a 3.23 posi. I think you will be pleased with it.

[Vrroom]

Sounds like the 2801 is a good choice. Anybody have a new one laying around that they want to swap with my new Crane H-288-2?

Vrroom